The great part of being a faux finisher is that you really don't have to be an artist to be a success. Many techniques are fairly simple if you have the right equipment, know-how and practice.

My dentist's office is a most relaxing place. And, I don't mean only after I've been given the laughing gas. The chair is comfortable, the music is soothing, and the scenery is enchanting. As I take in the calming ambience, I am visually drawn into an old-world garden situated just a few feet in front of me. The foliage and statuary are so realistic I can almost forget what I am about to experience. Almost!

The garden scene at this dentist's office, although genuinely serene, is fake. It is a mural strategically painted in order to evoke a certain emotional reaction. More and more business owners, as well as homeowners, are turning to faux finished walls as a way to perfectly present a desired look. If you are even a little artistically inclined, you can make real money with these faux finishes.

Right now faux finishers are in high demand, so they can charge more per hour for their skill than regular house painters can. The best way to cash in on the growing decor trends is to stay one-step ahead. Education will help you do that. Websites like www.muralsplus.com and www.fauxfinish.com offer classes for beginners, the highly experienced, and everyone in between. These sites also have on-line advice for managing your business. Home Decor shows are another great way to stay educated on the current trends in faux finishing.

Good advertising is a must in this business. Classy brochures and visually satisfying websites are great ways to show off your talents to potential clients. Your work is your best advertisement, though. Make sure to leave your business card with clients so they can pass it on to impressed visitors. Sometimes paint stores and home improvement centers will also keep your contact information on file.

Another way to make money is to teach decorative painting classes. There are plenty of do-it-yourselfers who will pay money to have someone show them a new technique.

The great part of being a faux finisher is that you really don't have to be an artist to be a success. Many techniques are fairly simple if you have the right equipment, know-how and practice. Some of the more detailed murals do require artistic skill, but this is a learn-as-you-go business. By the time you increase your repertoire of finishes you probably will have acquired the talent you need for the more advanced techniques. Moreover, if you haven't, you can always partner up with an artist who can do the more detailed stuff while you stick with the basics.

With a little creativity and a lot of paint, you can start a truly profitable business with decorative painting. Not only could you be giving those root canal patients like the ones at my dentist's office a desperately needed escape from reality, but you'll be making the world a little more beautiful–one faux finish at a time.

Helpful Resources:

http://www.fauxfinish.com/

http://www.muralsplus.com/